Douglas AMA

Consistent with Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 45-479, a registry of applications received for the Douglas Active Management Area has been posted here. This registry contains information and links to submitted applications*. This is a living registry, which ADWR will update with any new documentation. Pursuant to  A.R.S. § 45-479 (B), any person residing within the boundaries of the Douglas Active Management Area may object to an application on the basis of incorrect or insufficient information in an application. The Department has created a form for objections, which can be found here. The deadline for submitting objections on an application is April 1, 2025. 
 

*Applications may contain redacted information. The Department redacts personal identifiable information  including  physical addresses, phone numbers and/or email addresses for applicants. Unnecessary redactions may have been applied to some applications. The Department is working on correcting those as soon as possible.

On August 30, 2022, in response to a petition that was filed by residents pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-415, the Board of Supervisors of Cochise County called for an election, to be held on November 8, 2022, on whether to designate the Douglas Groundwater Basin as a subsequent active management area (“AMA”).  The AMA was designated on December 1, 2022. 

NOTICE: Pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-416, only those lands that were legally irrigated in the five years preceding that date (August 30, 2022) may be irrigated within the basin. “Irrigate” means to apply water to two or more acres of land to produce plants or parts of plants for sale or human consumption, or for use as feed for livestock, range livestock, or poultry. A.R.S. § 45-402.

With the designation of AMA on December 1, 2022 the prohibition on irrigation of new acres within the basin (with certain limited exceptions) remains in effect permanently. Additionally, a person may withdraw groundwater from a well having a pump with a maximum capacity greater than 35 gallons per minute ("non-exempt well") only if the person holds a right to withdraw the groundwater. The deadline for individuals to apply for grandfathered rights passed on September 3, 2024. For petitions to establish a service area right in the Douglas AMA, please use the below form.

• Petition to Establish a Service Area Right in the Douglas AMA 

Please review this FAQ page for further information. 

• Douglas AMA Fact Sheet
• Douglas AMA Industrial Users Fact Sheets
• Hoja De Datos De La AMA Douglas

Questions can be directed to 602-771-8585 or [email protected]. Applications can be electronically submitted to earp or mailed to the Department at 1802 W. Jackson St. Box 79, Phoenix, AZ 85007.